"No…"
"That won't work."
Crocodile quickly dismissed the idea that had just surfaced in his mind.
"If I expose Saint Roselith Seraphina to the World Government…"
"What then?"
"She isn't an ordinary Marine."
"She might not care about the Government's opinion at all."
"In fact…"
"It could even drive her to completely sever ties with the Marines."
"And if that happened…"
"She would become even more difficult to deal with."
A cold sweat slowly formed on his forehead.
"And if she discovers that I was the one who reported her…"
"Then I'll truly be at her mercy."
The more he analyzed the situation…
The more impossible the plan appeared.
Among every option available to him…
Reporting Seraphina was undoubtedly the worst.
By now…
He fully acknowledged her as one of the Marines' greatest monsters.
Furthermore…
Based on the promises she had previously made to the Celestial Dragons and her unwavering confidence whenever the World Government was mentioned…
Crocodile was convinced she possessed some hidden trump card that allowed her to ignore political pressure.
Otherwise…
Someone as intelligent as her would never speak with such certainty.
Most importantly…
She possessed that terrifying ability to distinguish truth from lies.
If an investigation ever reached him…
He doubted he could hide anything from her.
Robin quietly watched him.
"Sir Crocodile."
"You should simply focus on rebuilding."
"You're almost forty years old."
"The sooner you finish your assigned work…"
"The sooner all of this ends."
"To be honest…"
"I don't particularly wish to remain here with you forever."
She spoke calmly while turning another page of her book.
Crocodile's eyebrow twitched.
You're one to talk…
It's not as though you actually want to leave.
Robin closed the book halfway before looking at him again.
"You're not planning something foolish… are you?"
Although the World Government's bounty on Nico Robin remained active…
Seraphina had personally promised her protection.
As long as Robin remained within Alabasta and committed no crimes…
Seraphina would ensure her safety.
If anyone attempted to arrest her without cause…
Robin had only to report Seraphina's name.
For that reason…
Robin had absolutely no intention of leaving Alabasta.
Over the past six months…
She had gradually come to understand the Marine vice admiral.
Although she still couldn't comprehend why Seraphina possessed enough confidence to oppose certain decisions of the World Government…
One thing had become undeniable.
Seraphina genuinely embodied justice.
Not blind justice.
Not ruthless justice.
But a justice that protected innocent people above all else.
It was unlike anything Robin had witnessed before.
Crocodile folded his arms.
One day…
I will leave this miserable place.
I'll reclaim my freedom.
And one day…
I will stand at the summit of these seas.
Forty years of age wasn't old.
To him…
It was merely the beginning of his greatest ambitions.
Robin slowly looked toward the unfinished Marine Academy in the distance.
"The Marines are establishing academies throughout Alabasta."
"This isn't merely construction."
"They're preparing something much larger."
"This world…"
"Is becoming more interesting."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"If only…"
"I could openly travel the world with the Marines…"
"And freely study every Poneglyph."
The thought quickly disappeared.
Impossible.
Her conflict with the World Government could never simply disappear.
Although Marines like Saint Roselith Seraphina existed…
There were countless others whose interpretation of justice differed completely.
Robin quietly returned to her book.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford
The enormous Gates of Justice slowly opened.
A Marine battleship sailed into the harbor.
Standing proudly at the bow…
Kuina stretched both arms high into the air.
"Marineford!"
"I, Kuina, have returned!"
Before long…
A familiar, booming laugh echoed across the docks.
"Hahaha!"
"Isn't this Seraphina?"
"It's been quite a while!"
Walking toward them was a muscular old Marine wearing his iconic dog-faced cap.
The Hero of the Marines.
Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp.
Even in old age…
His towering physique radiated overwhelming strength.
One glance was enough to remind everyone why he remained one of the Navy's greatest legends.
"Vice Admiral Garp."
"It's been a long time."
Seraphina greeted him politely.
Among all the senior Marines…
Garp was someone she genuinely respected.
"Hahaha!"
"I heard all about your work in the East Blue!"
"You've accomplished something remarkable!"
"Very impressive!"
He gave Seraphina a hearty slap on the shoulder before laughing again.
"It seems the meaning of justice will shine even brighter in your generation!"
Garp had only recently returned from the East Blue.
During his journey…
He had personally witnessed the progress made by the Marines stationed there.
Fran, one of Seraphina's trusted subordinates, had managed every project with remarkable efficiency.
Even Garp couldn't help praising the results.
"You give me too much credit."
Seraphina answered modestly.
Garp shook his head.
"No."
"You've earned every bit of it."
"The future of the Marines belongs to your generation."
His expression gradually became more serious.
"Of course…"
"These old bones still have plenty of fight left in them."
He flexed his arm dramatically before bursting into laughter once again.
His confidence in his own strength had never diminished.
Just then…
A Marine officer hurried toward them.
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
"Vice Admiral Seraphina!"
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku has requested your immediate presence."
The lieutenant commander saluted sharply.
"Understood."
Garp grinned.
"Well then!"
"Let's go see Sengoku!"
Marine Headquarters
Fleet Admiral's Office
Sengoku slowly removed his glasses.
He carefully polished the lenses before placing them back on.
"Tsuru."
"How is the situation regarding Donquixote Doflamingo?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru calmly folded another report.
"Nothing has changed."
"He continues avoiding direct confrontation."
"As expected."
"He's become far more cautious than before."
She sighed softly.
"However…"
"We have reason to believe Caesar Clown has successfully joined his organization."
"I've already dispatched intelligence agents."
"We're gathering additional information."
Sengoku frowned.
"So…"
"Still nothing decisive."
Tsuru nodded.
"Doflamingo isn't the reckless young pirate he once was."
"He knows exactly how to disappear whenever I begin closing in."
"His ability to evade pursuit has become exceptionally troublesome."
Even Tsuru…
One of the Marines' greatest strategists…
Found him increasingly difficult to pin down.
Sengoku remained silent for a moment.
"History won't repeat itself…"
"Will it?"
Tsuru immediately understood what he meant.
"No."
"Our previous mistakes won't happen again."
"Even if we can't observe everything…"
"We now possess enough intelligence to anticipate his movements."
"The greater problem is distance."
"The New World remains too far away."
"Our ability to intervene there is still limited."
Her explanation reassured Sengoku somewhat.
Years earlier…
Marine Headquarters had attempted to infiltrate Doflamingo's organization.
The agents had vanished without a trace.
None had ever returned.
Remembering that failure…
Sengoku instinctively sighed.
Then…
His expression suddenly brightened.
"Seraphina has returned."
He smiled toward Tsuru.
Tsuru smiled back.
The two of them understood exactly what that meant.
The Marines remained the greatest military force upon the seas.
No pirate crew…
No criminal syndicate…
No individual organization…
Could rival the Navy in scale.
Yet paradoxically…
The Marines still struggled to suppress piracy across the world.
The seas were simply too vast.
Furthermore…
The World Government deliberately restricted the Marines' growth.
They feared granting too much power to those carrying the banner of justice.
Should Marine Headquarters ever become completely independent…
Even the World Government might lose control.
But…
If the Marine Academy Project in the East Blue succeeded…
If the Marine Academy Project in Alabasta also flourished…
Then…
The future itself could change.
Perhaps…
A new era truly awaited the Marines.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
Sengoku answered immediately.
He already knew who stood outside.
The office doors slowly opened.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
"Vice Admiral Tsuru."
Seraphina entered alongside Garp.
Both offered respectful greetings.
"Oh?"
"Vice Admiral Tsuru is here as well."
Seraphina inclined her head politely.
Garp casually waved.
"Sengoku!"
Before he could continue
Sengoku's forehead bulged with irritation.
"Garp!"
"You idiot!"
"Where exactly have you disappeared to this time?"
"I've been searching for you everywhere!"
Without hesitation…
He began shouting at his longtime friend.
Garp merely laughed.
"Hahaha!"
"I just went back home for a while!"
"Nothing wrong with visiting my hometown!"
Then…
He quickly changed the subject.
"By the way!"
"The Marines stationed in the East Blue are doing excellent work!"
"Especially Seraphina's people!"
"They're all outstanding youngsters!"
Garp's praise came straight from the heart.
During his recent visit to Foosha Village, he had personally seen how much the Marines' reputation had improved throughout the East Blue.
The local people spoke more positively about the Marines than ever before.
It was clear that Seraphina's reforms were already beginning to bear fruit.
And even someone as carefree as Garp…
Could recognize that the seeds of a new era had quietly begun to take root.
WE ARE CURRENTLY ON CHAPTER 170 ON PATREON.
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